Research Data Engineer - Takashima

At Houston Methodist, the Research Data Engineer position is responsible for building and managing the infrastructure required for optimal extraction, transformation, and loading of data from a wide variety of clinical and population-health data sources using big data technologies in partnership with Houston Methodist IT. The position entails actively participating in the design, cataloguing, and documentation of data systems and associated processing. The Data Engineer also supports the development of interactive graphical dashboards for the delivery of data science solutions. This position may assist, train and support customers with the operation and administration of systems. Responsibilities may include partnering with end users to increase their understanding of available tools to enhance research and operational productivity.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Engages with diverse functional teams (technical, clinical and cultural) across all business units within the organization in order to meet assigned project goals which may include the training and support of created software and data systems.

• Establishes and maintains effective working relationship with clients and end users by increasing their understanding of available tools to enhance research and operational productivity. Shares acquired skills with team members and customers through documentation, training, and administration of systems.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Accurately prepares written and oral business and scientific correspondence that is coherent, grammatically correct, effective and professional.

• Creating, documentation and assisting other IT groups and teams with technological issues, and errors.

• Build and manage the analytic tools and infrastructure required for:* Optimal data extraction, transformation, and loading of data from a wide variety of clinical and population-health data sources using big data technologies such as AWS and SQL and other transactional and relational database technologies.* Data pipeline for purposes such as research and achieving key clinical operation goals.

• Support the development of interactive graphical dashboards for the delivery of data science solutions, as well as actively participate in the design, cataloging, and documentation of data systems and associated processing.

• Leads medium to large scale projects utilizing Houston Methodist project guidelines including budget adherence.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides high quality data support for assigned research projects.

• Resolves problems of moderate to advanced complexity using strong analytical and logic skills. Generates innovative solutions in partnership with customers, vendors and cross functional IT teams.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Establishes responsible deadlines and personal work plans and manages time effectively. Accurately completes and submits assigned work and status reports according to project timelines and expectations.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Seeks out opportunities to cross train and become proficient in multiple applications

• Participates in professional development. Completes Individual Development Plan. (IDP).

• Anticipates client needs and communicates to department leadership for solution development.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Information Systems, Mathematics, Statistics or related field required

• Master's degree preferred

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Three years related technical experience supporting data science

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• Certification if appropriate to assigned application within 6 months OR
• EPIC - Certification -- must be maintained within 6 months

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Knowledge with various data storage technologies on cloud systems.

• Knowledge with Kafka and Hadoop Ecosystem, modeling for relational and NoSQL schemas and development with Java, Python/pySpark and scala languages.

• Prior knowledge of AWS technologies, Epic & healthcare is desirable

• Knowledge of data visualization tools and infrastructure preferred (e.g. Tableau¿, Microsoft BI)

• Familiar with current database and operating systems as required for assigned applications.

• Understands SQL and relational and multi-dimensional database structures and schemas.

• Technical skills to support multiple applications.

• Intermediate level competency in multiple applications or areas of clinical workflow.

• Demonstrated project management skills.

• Ability to problem solve and generate innovative solutions in conjunction with customers, vendors, and Information Technology.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs No
• Business professional Yes
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area Yes

Houston Methodist Research Institute was formed in 2004 to rapidly and efficiently translate discoveries made in the laboratory and the clinic into new diagnostics, therapies, and treatments. The research institute was created to provide the infrastructure and support for these endeavors, and to house the technology and resources needed to make innovative breakthroughs in important areas of human disease. A 540,000 square foot building dedicated to research, the research institute houses over 1,500 staff and trainees, 284 principal investigators and has more than 570 ongoing clinical trials.